IMPEACH. TRUMP. NOW.

Donald Trump is a continuing threat to US national security and a continuing threat to American Democracy.

He must be impeached immediately. To do otherwise is to accept grave threats to the United States. The US President and the US Congress have no higher duty than to defend our nation and our constitution. They are failing to do that now. Congress must act immediately.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

- US Presidential oath of office

Donald Trump should be impeached for the following limited and necessary national security reasons:

Trump refuses to acknowledge that Russia attacked the United States during the 2016 election.

Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion of all US intelligence service—seventeen in all—that have concluded that Russia did interfere in the 2016 US election. Indeed, Trump has gone so far to say publicly that he took the word of Putin over our intelligence agencies, putting his loyalty with Russia, not the United States. This is treason—the very first cause in our Constitution for impeachment. It is the gravest crime against our nation.

Trump refuses to respond to the Russian attack on our 2016 election.

Trump has taken only the most minor, inconsequential actions in response to the Russian attacks of 2016. Congress overwhelmingly passed a Russian sanctions bill that Trump could not veto. When the deadline for implementing the sanctions arrived, Trump demurred. Only later did he implement some small and very limited measures. He instead has protected—shielded—Putin and his cronies from punishment. This is treason.

Trump refuses to protect future elections from Russian attacks.

Trump has directed no US agencies to take actions to protect our voting system or our nation from Russian attacks. Security agency leaders publicly testified in Congress that Trump had made no requests whatsoever to them to respond. Congress appropriated $120 million for the US State Department to act. Later reports showed that State had not spent the first dollar. Trump raised no complaint and took no action. Indeed, he is allowing the cyber protection function in the White House to be disbanded. Our nation is undefended under Trump. That is unconscionable. That is dereliction and a violation of his oath of office. Leaving our nation open to attack by Russia is treason. Voters should recall that George W. Bush also declined to take al Qaeda seriously before the 9/11 attack.

There are many, many other examples of Trump’s failures and examples of him putting Russian interests ahead of the interests of the United States. Trump is infamous for refusing to take the daily intelligence briefing meant to inform him about events around the world, including Russian attacks on US interests. Trump accepted Putin’s demand that he welcome the Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the US into the Oval Office. When they arrived, Trump kicked out the US press, told the Russians that he had gotten rid of the bother of James Comey’s investigation, and gave the Russians highly classified intelligence the US had received from Israel. Trump’s son-in-law tried to establish a “back channel,” so the Trump Administration could communicate with Russians outside the view of US intelligence agencies. Trump has not responded or even commented on Russian mercenaries attacking US forces in Syrian in February 2018. Trump attacks US alliances like NATO and the G-7, weakening us. This list goes on and on. I encourage everyone to respond to all of Trump’s actions by asking two questions: Does this help or hurt US interests? Does this help or hurt Russian interests? Keep score.

“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.”

- US Constitution

I spent 24 years in an Air Force enlisted uniform, defending our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Today, we can see plainly the connection between Trump and Putin and Trump’s steady, consistent placing of Russian interests ahead of the interests of the United States. This is treason. This is a grave threat to our nation. This cannot be tolerated. It must not be tolerated.

Some will argue that we must wait for Robert Mueller to understand all that Trump has done and why he has done it. No. We do not need to wait. It is enough to see that he is doing it. A police officer does not pause to ask herself, ‘I wonder why that man is shooting those children?’ A police office intervenes. Congress must intervene before Trump causes even more severe harm.

Some argue that while Trump clearly has harmed the US or shows undue deference to Putin, the harm he has caused us has not risen to a high enough level—has not been severe enough—to warrant impeachment. Waiting until Trump has inflicted severe harm on the United States before acting is not defending our nation. It is failing to defend the nation. Trump is in a position to destroy the nation. His loyalty is quite suspect. He is neglecting his oath. We cannot trust him with the power and authority inherent in the presidency.

Congress is derelict in its duty to defend our nation and our Constitution. This negligence is a clear danger to all of us. Congress must impeach and remove Trump now. History very well might record future grave damage inflicted on the United States by Donald Trump. In that history, I will not be listed as someone who failed to do all he could to defend our nation. I hope the same goes for you.